Fire at Gorebridge Beacon

Comment to update Gorebridge People on the Latest Developments affecting their Beacon Project by Archie Pacey.

4:00 AM on Thursday, 18th May, 2017 – beneficent sleep is restoring the energy of Gorebridge residents, to see them safely through to the final day of this late spring month.

4:10 AM – Fire-fighting units arrive in Gorebridge to rescue what they can of Gorebridge Community Beacon from the raging flames of senseless fire.

Time and location – the site of the conflagration was on the east side of the Beacon and this no doubt played a part in delaying the alert until voracious flames had taken merciless hold of Gorebridge’s proud investment in the future. Deploying astonishing speed and incredible skill our emergency heroes soon extinguished the blaze. Their prompt and focused action will surely prove to have curbed the extent of the damage sustained by the building.

Beacon progress up to 17 May 2017

In various sections finishing was under way; painting of a number of rooms was completed; implementation of the staffing plan, including volunteers, had begun; detailed planning of the cafe could take place; many local groups had confirmed their interest as users/tenants of the Beacon; a revised Business Plan, taking account of current circumstances, was drawn up and was approved by our funders; we are continuing to strive to develop a financial plan that will see the Beacon safely through the initial period to the time when the project becomes self-sufficient and indeed can make important contributions towards further community development; site visits have enabled several community groups to see for themselves the quality of design, wealth of facilities and admirable workmanship that make Gorebridge Community Beacon an outstanding achievement of the Gorebridge community.

I am full of admiration for the huge number of supportive messages we have received from far and wide and I thank you all. My promise to you is that we shall keep you informed, get the Beacon built, and put it to work as expeditiously as possible. I hope to meet many of you at the public meeting described overleaf.

Once again Trust staff and Board have demonstrated their faith and commitment by facing up to further adversity with courage, determination and an encouraging measure of humour. They are stars.

The Way Forward

We have been greatly moved by the many expressions of sympathy that we have received from all quarters. Indeed, the willingness of folk to step up and help us is overwhelming. Of course, we would dearly love to take full advantage of these generous offers. The only problem is that there are so many uncertainties that we cannot begin to see the way ahead.

One thing is certain: This Beacon will be built and will support the people of Gorebridge and beyond.

What needs to happen to allow us to see with real clarity the way ahead? The insurers have to carry out their loss adjusting roles, a thorough survey by our architects, engineers, contractors and all the many sub-contractors regarding the current state of the building, the agreement of our funders to whatever adjustments in timings are required. The additional costs to our staff, architects and other professionals, refreshing the Business Plan and the Financial Plan, appointment of contractor for repairing and completing the building.

A public meeting with take place on Monday 12th June 2017 in Gorebridge Primary School (Activity Hall) from 7pm – 9pm. All welcome.